Brace yourself for the possibility that you might've not landed the job

You've already done the hard part. You've applied for the role, secured an interview, prepped for it, and shown up on time. What's more, you think it went well. So, now the waiting game begins. While a rejection can sometimes catch us off guard, other times the signs are already right there in the interview room. Let's take a look at the signs your interview went bad.

1. The interviewer seemed uninterested in you

Was your interviewer simply going through the motions? Or did they seem genuinely interested in you as a candidate? Sometimes, we get the sense that the person we're talking to simply couldn't care less what we have to say.

It may feel like they may have been looking down at their paperwork or just glazing over completely. Whatever it was, it could be telling of whether or not you got the job. Sadly, if you felt as though the interviewer was less than concerned about what you had to say, that's one of the major signs your interview went bad.

2. The interview was suddenly cut short

You were originally given a 30-minute interview slot, but after waiting an eternity, you got just 10-15 minutes with the interviewer. You're not imagining it – this is one of the major signs of a bad interview session. That short and sweet chat was likely not long enough for the interviewer or hiring manager to cover all they needed to. So, why did they decide to show you the door?

There are a couple of things that could have happened here. It could mean they've already interviewed their ideal candidate before they met with you. In that case, the interviewer is simply seeing you as a courtesy. Alternatively, you may have put your foot in it within the first few minutes. So, the interviewer already knows you're not right for the job.

3.  There was absolutely zero chemistry

Interviews are a lot like first dates: if you feel no chemistry, it's a bad sign that things are going nowhere fast. You may get the sense that the interview process isn't going well. Don't ignore that feeling. 

While you might not be able to put your finger on the reason for it, you should trust your instincts. Remember: 55% of communication is nonverbal. That means that we can pick up on body language and sense unsaid things from the people around us. Here are some of the signs of negative body language: 

  • The interviewer turns away from you 

  • They have their arms folded

  • They are fidgeting or watching the clock

  • They avoid making eye contact 

  • They look tired or bored

What you're picking up on here are the unconscious signals that the interviewer doesn't want to hire you for the role. When you notice these signs, it may be that the interview is going badly. 

4. That one killer question stumped you

During the interview, there was that one killer question that caught you off guard. You may have done tons and tons of research, but you somehow missed this one crucial aspect. If the interviewer or hiring manager asks you something for which you had no good answer, that's a major problem. You could have aced every other question, but if this one was important, it may have lost you the job offer.

Ultimately, as far as signs of a bad job interview go, this one'ss pretty close to the top of the list. The fact that you couldn't answer a question may be a deal breaker as it shows the interviewer that you haven't done your research or that you're not right for the role. Either way, you're unlikely to land the job.

5. The interviewer didn't tell you about the role

After the interview questions were over, did the interviewer or hiring manager take a few minutes to brief you on what the role would entail? If the answer is no, there could be a very good reason for that. If they had already decided that you weren't right for the position, they may not have bothered with this final step. After all, why bother explaining the details of a role to you when they have no intention of offering it to you? It might sound harsh, but it's the truth. 

6. The interviewer shares their concerns 

One of the biggest signs your interview went bad is if the interviewer expresses their concerns. Perhaps you don't have a certain skill that they're looking for. Maybe your experience level doesn't match up to this role. When the hiring manager brings up this type of problem, it's your chance to win them over and explain to them how you'll overcome this challenge. 

However, if you don't do a good enough job at quashing their concerns, chances are you won't get the job. When these types of issues come up in a job interview, you should take them seriously. Remember, the fact that you've been invited for the interview means that they're considering you. Take the time to calm their nerves and put yourself in the best light. 

7. The interviewer didn't ask follow-up questions

When you answered interview questions, what type of reception did you get? If the interviewer was engaged, they would have asked you follow-up questions. For example, they may have asked whether you can expand on something or for more information generally. Should you find that these questions don't come up, that could mean that they're not interested at all in what you have to say – a clear sign that your interview went bad.

8. The interviewer didn't sell you the job

If you make the right impression on an interviewer, they will want to sell you the job. That means sharing the reasons why you'll love the role and the opportunities for career development. On the other hand, if the interviewer has already made their mind up about you, they may come at things from the opposite angle. For instance, they may be trying to dissuade you from the role. 

Think about it: did the interviewer highlight the negative aspects of the position? Did they emphasise the fact that the role will be difficult and hard to manage? If so, they could be trying to let you down easily. On a subconscious level, they may be trying to put you off the idea of this position so when you don't get it, you won't be too heartbroken. 

9. You failed to ask any questions

A job interview isn't only your chance to prove that you're the right candidate for the role. It's also an opportunity to show that you have an abundance of enthusiasm and interest in the job and company too. If you fail to ask any questions about the company or the duties of the position, it tells interviewers and hiring managers how little you care about landing the job.

It should really go without saying that when going to an interview, you should have a few questions prepared for the interviewer. They don't have to be too in-depth, but they should show that you've thought about the role and whether or not you have the ability to do it. Simple. 

10. The interviewer didn't ask about your availability 

Towards the end of the interview, the issue of your availability should come up. If you've wowed the interviewer, they would want to know when you can start the role, should they offer it to you. However, if the question never arises, that may be one of the signs that your interview went bad. It may mean that the interviewer has already made their decision about you. 

Of course, this sign depends on the stage you're at in the interview process. For example, if this is your first interview and there are more coming, the interviewer may not need to know your availability yet. However, if this is the final stage before the decision is made, you need to look out for this question. If it's missing, it may be that you didn't make the final cut. 

11. There's no talk of “next steps”

When the interview is over, what happens next? This is a question that you shouldn't be left wondering. If the interviewer doesn't tell you what the next steps are, that could be a red flag. Maybe they've already decided that you won't make it to that level in the hiring process. 

Looking for some answers? When the hiring manager is concluding the interview, take a moment to ask them a simple question. Enquire about when you can expect to hear from them. The answer that you get from the interviewer will tell you a lot about how you did. If they're awkward about this issue, that's one of the signs that the interview went bad. 

Can you have a bad interview and still get the job?

The short answer is yes. Don't panic if you notice some (or even all!) of the above bad interview signs. The truth is that there's no exact formula here. You might think that an interview went badly, but you could be wrong. No matter what, make sure you follow our tips: 

  • Thank the interviewer for their time and express optimism about the role

  • Pay attention to what the “next steps” were and wait to hear back

  • Always follow up after the interview is over (even if you think it went badly)

  • If you get rejected, ask for some feedback to help you in the future

Don't let one bad experience put you off. Job searches are long games, and they take time. Learn what you can from this experience and move forward armed with that information. At worst, you can use the constructive feedback from the interviewer to your advantage. 

Keep moving forward

Unfortunately, you won't land every single role you get an interview for – if only it were that easy! But don't be disheartened; there are plenty more opportunities out there. Even if the signs that your interview went bad are there and you can't control whether an interviewer hires you, you can control what you do next. Spruce up your CV and cover letter, and then start looking for other vacancies – your next job may be just around the corner.

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